Lecture at YSU: "Syriac Studies in Europe – Past and Present"

Ruben Melkonyan, Dean of the YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies, highlighting the important role of Syriac studies and doctor’s lecturing at YSU, noted that such meetings, organized for students and teaching staff representatives, provide an opportunity to outline the development paths of Syriac studies. 

"Oriental studies is interesting due to its diversity, in which Syriac studies has a special place. Through these meetings and discussions, we hope to reignite the interest in Syriac studies," said the dean of the faculty.  

Associate Professor Hayk Kocharyan, Head of the Chair of Oriental Studies at YSU, touching upon the significance of the meeting and the lecture, emphasized: "At one time, Syriac studies took an important place in our educational program, but after some time the teaching process of Syriac language and Syriac studies in the university stopped. The meeting with Aho Shemunkasho is important not only to talk about topics related to Syriac studies but also to implement various programs together."

Speaking about the planned programs, the head of the chair mentioned the idea of creating a master's program in cooperation with the University of Salzburg incorporating Syriac studies is currently being discussed. 

At the meeting Aho Shemunkasho presented a number of issues related to Syriac studies, highlighting the importance of Syriac literature and language in the way of "bridging" the past and the present.

"The Syriac language had a significant role both in science and culture in the past. Numerous works and research studies have been written and conducted in Syriac. Systematic mastering of this language will give an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the past," said the doctor.  

Referring to the collaboration with YSU, he stated that Assyrians and Armenians have a number of commonalities, including a rich shared historical memory, and from this perspective, being in Armenia, especially at YSU, is always a pleasure.  

"Our ancestors lived side by side. We had similar customs and a number of commonalities. In this regard, I am sure that the joint cooperation will provide an opportunity to discover a number of news about each other," said Aho Shemunkasho.

The meeting was organized with the efforts of former YSU employee, Orientalist Marat Yavrumyan.

It’s noteworthy that Dr. Aho Shemunkasho, a native Syriac speaker born in Tur Abdin, studied in Germany and received his doctorate at Oxford University.

Syriac studies began to be studied in Europe in the 16th century; the first researcher was Moves Mardin. Later, a number of other oriental scholars from the Middle East along with Western syrologists contributed significantly to the development of Syriac Studies both in Europe and beyond.